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Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Agricultural fire northwest of Cowley

UpdatedChris Davis - Pincher Creek Emergency Services (PCES) was called to the scene of a fire on agricultural land northwest of Cowley near Range Road 2-0A/Township Road 8-0 this afternoon at approximately 2:30 pm.

According to PCES Chief Dave Cox the cause of the fire is undetermined at this time. It consumed approximately 100 acres and affected multiple properties. Responding were Pincher Creek RCMP, who contained access to the area, PCES including Pincher Creek Station, Lundbreck Station, and Beaver Mines Station, Cowley Fire, and multiple resources from area farmers and ranchers. Alberta Agriculture and Forestry was called to provide mutual aid if necessary, which included two water trucks, a helicopter, and an assessment crew in an airplane, which are currently stationed at Pincher Creek Airport. Alberta Agriculture and Forestry was ultimately told to stand down because their aid wasn't necessary, but Chief Cox said he wanted to make sure the fire was contained at a creek east of the fire because there are "values at risk" on the other side of the creek, including a barn and a large open field. The fire was under control by 3:15 pm.

The fire was started by equipment related farming operations. The fire reached an 0.5 kilometres by 0.5 kilometres area, and approximately a kilometre of fencing was damaged.

Chief Cox said the fire exhibited extreme behavior "with flame heights of 15 to 20 feet, and a spread of probably 30 to 40 metres."

"Fires start easily and they spread fast in this weather."

A Fire Ban is still in effect for the MD of Pincher Creek, the Town of Pincher Creek, Piikani First Nation, and most of Southern Alberta. Visit albertafirebans.ca for more information.